In papers filed by his lawyer, West, 36, claimed that "his safety was in immediate danger" when the photographer started asking him questions as he left the airport terminal and walked to a waiting car.

The altercation, which was captured on video and posted on TMZ, showed West accusing Ramos of trying to provoke him before he lunged at the paparazzo.

West claims in the filing that he was only doing what was "necessary for his self-defense and safety and was justified in doing those acts."

After the scuffle, West left the scene and an ambulance transported Ramos to the hospital. The rapper faces a maximum of one year in jail if convicted of the criminal charges.